Labrador Retriever Club New South Wales 8 th May 2011 Thank you to the officers and committee for the kind invitation to judge this show. It was my first appointment in Australia. Everyone made us both very welcome and looked after us so well. Baby Puppy Dog 1 entry 1 st. O Donnell s CLADAGHRING FLYN OVER TORNGAT. Black of just four months, excellent bone and short coupled. Had a good topline for his age, quite short in leg and heavy in head at this stage. Plenty of time to develop and mature. Moved ok, but a little close behind. Minor Puppy Dog 3 entries, 1 absent 1 st. O Connor s ARALYEN DEVINE ICE. These two puppies were similar in many ways, however, the winner was a better mover and his head was not as strong as second place. I felt the winner had a kinder expression, which is an important feature of a Labrador, along with a better coat too. 2 nd Charnock& Chang s LABRADDELL THE GROVE. This puppy was of good quality too, in particular with a good tail set. His head was more plain than 1 but this may well come later as he develops. This youngster had excellent bone and was well grown for his age. Puppy Dog 2 entries 1 st Beauchamp s MISSTEAP BILLIES MAGIC SHADOW. Liked the head of this dog, just right for his age, his eye was kind too. He was a better mover than 2 although he was more upright in shoulder. Would have liked a harsher texture to the coat. 2 nd Spagnolo s DRIFTWAY RIDER IN THE STORM. This puppy was heavier altogether and he had good bone. His coat was correct although still a puppy. Hope he doesn t become too overdone as he has a lot to offer and has many good attributes in line with the breed standard.
Junior Dog 4 entries, 1 absent 1 st Hunter & Nettleton s PETELYNN GOLDEN SPENCER. This was a challenging class as these dogs were quite different. Felt my winner improved as the class went on making the most of himself. He had the best head and correct ear set. Strong in forequarters and had good bone. 2 nd O Donnells s CLADAGHRING STRONGER THN MAGIC. Although similar in many ways to 1, this youngster was more upright in shoulder and his tail not as good. Hoping head will mature with age. 3 rd Lomas DUSKWOOD GENTLEMAN OF CHOAS. Different in type, this dog was longer on the leg and not as thick set as others. A good youngster who has a lot to offer and I think will improve with time. Moved well. Intermediate Dog 6 entries, 1 absent. 1 st Spagnolo & Richards BANDERRA REGAL BARNABUS. These dogs were much more mature, movement was still rather mixed though. The winner was in best coat of the day, he was a nicely balanced dog with excellent bone, he showed himself to best advantage. 2 nd Gent s CH GUNNISLAKE DUMBLE DORE (AI). An eye catching dog but very out of coat today, which was a real shame. Again well balanced, he had strong hindquarters but a little heavy up front, level topline, from which tail set well, good pigment too. 3 rd Blackman s SILVERSTREAM HEARTTHROB. A close decision between 2 and 3, again has many attributes of 2 but lost out on hindquarters. Good bone, a little light in eye but in good coat though. Australian Bred Dog 5 entries, 1 absent. 1 st Blackman s CH SILVERSTREAM MOON RIVER. Two very different types in this class. After much thought, decided the following: The first place was better balanced overall, he improved as the class went on making more of himself. Would have preferred more expression on his head, he
was in good coat. Nothing fussy or overdone about this dog. Strong in the hindquarters. 2 nd Gent s CH GUNNISLAKE SMART IN BLACK. This dog very much at one with his owner when showing, his head was good and he had the most melting expression, very typical. Good through the body, but not quite as good as 1 in hindquarters. Moved ok. 3 rd O Donnell s GR CH BLACKBOY GRAND GUINNESS. Although this dog was much older than the other exhibits he had a good head with a gentle and kindly expression, preferred his head to 1 but he wasn t as good in the hindquarters however. His coat texture was just a little too soft. Notice 3 rd is the sire of 2 nd in this class. Open Dog 4 entries 1 st Gent s CH ENELEON TIGER S EYE (Imp uk) This was a really good class of quality dogs. First place was a lovely dog, very eye catching and really commanded the ring. His head is very typical with a lovely expression, correct lay of shoulder, nicely balanced with good depth to chest. He also had excellent hindquarters and turn of stifle. Worthy of Dog CC today. He later went on to win BIS over the bitch, he has great ring presence. Noticed he sired many of the winners today. 2 nd Spagnolo s GR CH DRIFTWAY SPECIAL ENVOY. A younger dog, who was a little less mature, a different style of dog. A smaller dog who was more upright on his toes, good through the body, was in good coat which so many weren t today. Again he was eye catching and well worthy of the Res CC. 3 rd Auld s CH GAMEFINDER DUCATI A darker yellow who moved well, pleasant head with good shoulder and bone, coat had good texture but this dog lacked a little spark when in the ring. Baby Puppy Bitch 6 entries This was an excellent class and it was a shame there weren t more than 3 places.
1 st Spagnolo s DRIFTWAY SUMMER STORM. My winner was a lovely young puppy who I liked instantly. She was just right for her age, had a very feminine head, excellent pigment, lovely balance throughout, correct tailset, good bone for age too. A quality puppy. 2 nd O Connor s ARALYEN BLACK BETTY This black puppy was different in type but again was full of quality, shown in a more stacked position though. She was quite mature in head at this stage, she had good bone and her hindquarters were well developed with a real turn of stifle. 3 rd O Donnell s CLADAGHRING SHEZ THE ONE. Another very feminine puppy with a sweet head, good neck but more upright than 1 in forequarters. Good body, moved ok. Minor Puppy Bitch 4 entries, 1 absent. 1 st Charnock s LABRADELL THE RENOIR (AI). Litter sisters which were very alike, 1 showed herself better and moved more straight and true. Had a feminine head, flowing into well laid back shoulders. Had superb pigment too. Liked her hindquarters, as she had a good turn of stifle. 2 nd Tankard s LABRADELL THE MONET (AI). This black puppy was not as well developed as her sister, she had a sweet head although her expression was a little more harsh. Tail set and carried correctly. Moved ok. Puppy Bitch 3 entries, 1 absent. 1 st Spagnolo s DRIFTWAY RIVER MIST. A lot to like about both these puppies and they were difficult to split. However, 1 had better overall conformation with good balance would have preferred her to be a little less heavy on shoulder at this age. She showed well, and had very good tail set and good coat texture. Noticed she was out of Bitch Challenge winner. 2 nd Tankard s SPIRITROCK LOVE ROCKET. She was the better mover of the pair but not quite as well put together. Head was fine, probably time will mature her in this area and she needs to develop in the hindquarters too. A very sweet and kindly nature, just right for a lab puppy. Junior Bitch 7 entries. 1 st Jesse & Chang s LABRADDELL CHOCOLATINE (AI). This was a quality class and it was a pity there were only 3 places and another day the decision could have gone another way.
Winner was the chocolate bitch and although she has a calf lick this didn t detract from her good head, her expression was right and she was well balanced in the body with barrel ribs, not being too long. Good in fore and hind quarters with tail coming off top line properly. This bitch was the best mover from this kennel. 2 nd. Jesse s DRIFTWAY MISS ATTITUDE (AI). This bitch was not as good in head but her strength was her strong, well barrelled body with good fore and hindquarters. Correct in turn of stifle too. 3 rd Charnock & Chang s ERAKY AQUA LUNA (AI). This yellow had the most superb neck where it was well placed and clean, not being stuffy in any way. Her top line was level with good tail set and carriage. All these three bitch were good movers, which I found to be a problem in some classes. Intermediate Bitch 8 entries. 1 st. Ritchard s DRIFTWAY FOREVER CHARMED. Several of these bitches were similar in many ways which made it a difficult choice but eventually decided on: 1, she showed well making the most of herself, she had a good head with ears set well and was correctly balanced through her body, another with a calf lick but not put off by this as her head was properly proportioned. Lovely neck and shoulder running through to good topline, with nice turn of stifle too. Moved ok. 2 nd Gent s GUNNISLAKE CORN DOLLY (AI). Like this yellow a lot but found her to be more upright in shoulder than 1, however, she had many of the same attributes as the winner and was particularly good in hindquarters. 3 rd Spagnolo s CH DRIFTWAY MOONLIGHT SERENADE. A darker yellow, which again was a little upright in shoulder. Nice head but would have liked more expression though. She did have a deep chest with plenty of room for the lungs and her hindquarters were strong and developed. Rather out of coat, which so many were today, this was a shame. Australian Bred Bitch 13 entries, 2 absent. Probably the most challenging class of the day since many of the bitches whose conformation was good were not necessarily the best of movers, hence it was a compromise. In addition, I found some of the bitches quite masculine in head. 1 st Richards CH BANDERRA REGAL JEMIMA. Lovely put together bitch, she had a typical head, with good front and depth to chest. Good body, with spring of rib going through to level top line and tail coming off correctly. Moved ok.
2 nd Ward s LABELLAN DOUBLE DELIGHT. A different type here but lots to like, pleasant head with good neck leading into well put together body, good feet. 3 rd Richard s CH BANDERRA LADY MARTHA. This bitch has the same sire as the winner and he was BIS today. 3 rd place had a good head with kindly expression, not overdone in any way, many exhibits I found to be heavy on the forequarters. However, this bitch was nicely balanced through the body, but she was out of coat today and the texture felt a little soft. Open Bitch 8 entries. 1 st Spagnolo s CH DRIFTWAY SILVER FERN. Dam of the puppy class winner, I could see the likeness. Another with a nicely balanced body, although she was carrying too much weight today. Good head with right amount of width, well placed ears. Her hindquarters were strong with well let down hocks and good turn of stifle. Her depth of chest was good, she reminded me of some of the UK lines of Labradors. Awarded Challenge Bitch. 2 nd Richards BANDERRA REGAL MATILDA. A different type of bitch here, her head was good and she had good pigment. She was finer in bone and her coat was slightly shorter, she had good clean lines throughout and was not heavy in any area. She showed herself to advantage but would have preferred that she be shown on a loose lead. Awarded Reserve Challenge Bitch. 3 rd Gent s CH GUNNISLAKE TIGER LILY. Another close decision here, liked her head and very like the Lawnwoods line in the UK. She had a good head with correct expression, her forequarters were strong with good depth to chest. Another with well put together body, level topline and correct tail set. Sadly she was very out of coat today, which was reflected in the placings. Field Class 1 entry. 1 st Auld s GAMEFINDER BERETTA. A yellow bitch with a wet tail on the day so didn t quite make the most of herself today. However, she was nicely put together with pleasant head but would have preferred darker eye colour. Balanced throughout, but another going out of coat.
Veteran Dog 1 entry. 1 st O Donnell s GR CH BLACKBOY GRAND GUINNESS. Placed 3 rd in Australian Bred Dog. Veteran Bitch 1 entry. 1 st Gent s CH GUNNISLAKE SWEET JAFFA. Very lively for her age, a very nice chocolate bitch. She had a good head, with good forequarters and depth to chest. Balanced through the body with strong hindquarters and well let down hocks.